The Effect of Penicillin Dentifrice On the Control of Dental Caries

Abstract

A study was conducted on the effect of a paste containing the procaine salt of penicillin on the control of dental caries. The children used in the expt. were from a public school and the use of the dentifrice was regimented to the extent of one brushing each day. There were 347 in the exptl. group and 145 in the control group, all within the ages 7 to 12. At the end of 1 year''s study the exptl. group had 9.7% less DMF teeth. They had 15.9% less surfaces involved and 14.5% less lesions. The data indicate a slight reduction in dental caries but not of sufficient magnitude to expect that a dentifrice used irregularly in an unregimented program would be of material value in the reduction of carious lesions. No significant changes in lactobacillus counts were observed. Allergies did not present a clinical problem.